Blogging Milestone and an Informal Giveaway

It's hard for me to believe that I've been blogging about books for (7) years this month  Other than a few header changes over the years, I haven't made any significant changes to my blog. My focus is still mostly about books for adults and young kiddos, with some occasional posts about family and life.

Last year and again this year, I thought about giving up blogging, but deep down I'm afraid I might miss it if I gave it up completely. So, I decided to continue until at least the end of 2015, because when I retire next month, I should have lots more free time to post without feeling stressed about having to do so.

Yes -- just (11) more working days for me. Not counting part-time or summer jobs while in school, In my adult life I've worked (27) years - full-time and (8) years part-time. I've had several high-powered jobs and a few fun and sometimes mindless jobs as well over the years. I've worked with my share of wonderful people and one wonderful mentor in my early HR days, and I've also worked for a few insensitive jerks as well....but haven't we all?

People ask me, "are you afraid to retire, or is the idea of never working again scary?"  My answer is "no way!!" I've dreamt about retirement for years and now I'm there.  I do tell these same people -- what is scary for me is the question I keep asking myself -- "where did my life go"?

Plans -- spending time with my (3) - 1-3 year old granddaughters before they start school fulltime, some travel with my husband, trying lots of new recipes, joining a gym, volunteering at at animal shelter and of course, reading --lots.

As far as blogging and books, it seemed appropriate to do something bookish for my post today. I decided to share what I considered to be the #1, favorite book I read each year for the last 15 years.

Here's my list.  How many of my favorites have you read or enjoyed?

• 2001 - The Bonesetter's Daughter; Amy Tan (no recent books?)
• 2002 - The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold (what happened to her?)
• 2003 - The Life of Pi; Yann Martel (once again, nothing new in years?)
• 2004 - Middlesex; Jeffrey Eugenides
• 2005 - Snowflower and the Secret Fan; Lisa See
• 2006 - Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
• 2007 - Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name; Vendela Vida
• 2008 - Tomato Girl; Jayne Pupek (sadly, this author passed away)
• 2009 - Cutting for Stone; Abraham Verghese
• 2010 - The Bells; Richard Harvell
• 2011- A Kind of Intimacy; Jenn Ashworth
• 2012 - East of Eden; John Steinbeck
• 2013 - The Goldfinch; Donna Tartt
• 2014 - Me Before You; Jojo Moyes
• 2015 -----so far --- A Little Life; Hanya Yanagihara

Giveaway

(US and International)

(I just finished this book and thought it was terrific. An extremely well-written psychological mystery. Just leave a comment stating you'd like to be considered for the giveaway (it's a trade softcover, like new). I'll draw the winner next Sunday.) I hope to post my review later this week. Definitely worth reading.

Have a Great Week Everyone.